The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-06

The operations, which, from want of
space, have unfortunately to be performed
IN the male ward, Immediately begin. The
duchess recognizes each case, and perceiv-
ing at glance what instruments will be
needed holds them in readiness; and at times
nor good nerve and steady hand help in the
operation. Imperial and royal relatives,
ladies-in-waiting, perhaps on eminent phy.
slclan on his travels or some local surgeon
may be present, intently watching this ex-
ceptionally endowed couple, as with COM
plete scientific knowledge they adrotly cure
or relieve the delicate organism under treat
ment
And the patients, what a strange and af-
rectlng assembly, leading trait being i'm
nense power OF endurance on the part of
the hardy race Of German Tyrolers, acute
sensibility on that of the moro nervous
Italian. Many who come from solitary
homesteads situated In remote valleys or on
lofty mountains, and speak varied and
almost unintelligible dialects, are odd.
grotesque, uncouth; yet possess an innate
good breeding, while wholly ignorant of all
customary obsorvances to rank. Some,
who have seen moro of the world, affect
superior, even patronizing, air to their
comrades. Some are facetious, some not
easily to be subdued Not few are
sr e n erroip sy n neno, others
under such unique and flattering cond-ions,
The sensitive are often too much overcome
for words, and when blessed with sight find
relief by repeatedly kissing the Dukes
beneficent hand Hundreds have never bo-
fore been brought in contact with any high
born lady; and the Princess gentle frank
ness and rapidity-for she has q facility of
doing all she attempts quickly and well-en-
thrall their hearts and minds. 1t is homo
of
ing day by day, week by week, the same
tragic and even comic forms and character
istics, which are relieved, however, Of all
duh uniformity to the Duke and Duchess by
their own enthusiasm, sympathy with hui
man nature, and delicate sense of humor.
When the benign preeence of the Duke
and Duchess no longer Hghtens the tedium
the hours drag wearily on in the gloomy in
Urinary. There are little contretenps; ig-
norant and undisciplined patients, SOOTHING
at the absolute need Of the enforced pas
sivity, talk and crack jokes; even the will
ing obedient, made irritable by the limited
space and constrained position, fldget and
move or sneeze vigorously and clumsily, to
the disarrangement of bandages. But good
manners are speedily restored by the re-
minder, What would the Duchess sayi"
While these poor mortals arc enduring to
the best OF their ability this chrysalis stage
OF darkness and torpor, other sufferers are
cropping their way, being led, carried, or, If
well-to-do, conveyed in bath-chars to the
Villa Adors Old and young, from far and
near, with every possible arrangement of
eyesight-blind from birth, or blind from
smallpox, fever, Inflammation, cataract,
external injury, defect in tho optic nerve,
imperfect organization, gradual decay-on
they troop to be relieved by the Duke, at
first each afternoon, later thrice In the week |;
the highest number reached In any after
noon being ninety-one, the total 1000.
The footmen welcome each newcomer
with q personal interest and Difference that
tranguiltze the poor blind, whose suscepti-
bilitbS are great; and after arranging Thorn
in tho spacious entrance hall usher them by
turn into the presence of the Duke and
Duchess Their royal highnesses, in the
most easy and natural way, attend to each
case, make out together what illiterate
peasants, wholly ignorant of all laws Of
nature and health, mean in their strange
patois-he tenderly lifting shaggy, un-
kempt hair off weather-bee6en foreheads to
obtain a clearer view of the defective eye
sight; she, ever on the alert, helping the
poor people to explain themselves, and,
when need be, writing out diagnosis or a
prescription for tho Duke to sign. -
The month of March, 1885, brought them
once more back to Meran, where another
season was spent in a similar round of ardu-
Gus and munificent labors. During the ten
weeks then passed in the Villa Bavaria some
], 200 persons resorted to the Duke and were
received by him &, 900 times, while 900 were
operated upon, and these chiefly in the hos
pital
And now. in May, 1887, men, women and
children, with bandGged eyes or in specta-
cles, again form a prominent feature Of the
locality; for the royal oculist and wife-this
year assisted by grandson Of the poet,
Ruckert-have, since the middle Of March,
been indefatigably pursuing their work Of
mercy in Meran.